Moonreich/Amer/Les Acteurs de L'Ombre Productions/2023 Full Length Review

 

  France's  Moonreich  has  returned  with  a  new  recording  which  shows  the  music  going  for  a  very  sinister,  atmospheric  and  experimental  form  of  black  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2023  album  "Amer"  which  will  be  released  in  May  by  Les  Acteurs  de  L'Ombre  Productions.

  Avant  garde  style  synths  start  off  the  album  before  going  into  more  of  a  heavier  and  melodic  musical  direction.  Vocals  are  mostly  angry  sounding  black  metal  screams  while  most  of  the  tracks  are  very  long  and  epic  in  length  and  when  the  music  speeds  up  a decent  amount  of  tremolo  picking  and  blast  beats  can  be  heard  which  also  gives  the  songs  more  of  a  raw  feeling.

  Throughout  the  recording  you  can  also  hear  a  decent  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts while  the  clean  sections  also  take  the  music  into  more  of  an  experimental  direction.  When  guitar  solos  and  leads  are  utilized  they  are  also  done  in  a  very  melodic  post  metal  style  along  with  some  songs  also  adding  in a   small  amount  of  growls,  clear  singing  can  also  be  heard  briefly  and  female  vocals  are  also  added  on  the  closing  track.  

  On  this  recording  Moonreich  keeps  the  aggression  and  rawness  of  early  releases  as  well  as  adding  in  some  more  experimental  touches  to  create  something  very  different  from  previous  releases.  The  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  a  descent  into  hell.

  In  my  opinion  this  is  another  great  sounding  album  from  Moonreich  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  fast,  raw,  melodic  and  experimental  black  metal,  you  should  check  out  this  recording.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Amer"  and  "The  Cave  of  Superstition".  8  out  of  10.

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Moonreich/Wormgod/Les Acteurs de L' Ombre Productions/2019 EP Review

  France's  Moonreich  have  returned  with  a  new  recording  which  continues  the  fast,  raw  and  melodic  style  of  post  black  metal  from  previous  releases  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2019  ep  "Wormgod"  which  was  released  by  Les  Acteurs  de  L'  Ombre  Productions.

  Distorted  soundscapes  start  off  the  ep  along  with  a  brief  use  of  spoken  word  samples  before  going  into  a  very  fast  and  raw  musical  direction  which  also  uses  a  great  amount  of  tremolo  picking  and  blast  beats  which  also  gives  the  music  more  of  a  raw  feeling  and  the  riffs  also  add  in  a  decent  amount  of  melody.

  Vocals  are  mostly  grim  sounding  black  metal  screams  along  with  the  solos  and  leads  also  being  done  in  a  very  melodic  style.  Throughout  the  recording  you  can  also  hear  a  decent  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts  while  the  clean  playing  also  brings  elements  of  post  rock  onto  the  recording.

  When  guitar  solos  and  leads  are  utilized  they  are  done in  a  very  melodic  post  black  metal  style  as  well  as  keyboards  also  being  added  into  certain  sections  of  the  recording,  clean  vocals  can  also  be  heard  brieflyalong  with  all  of  the  musical  instruments  on  the  recording h aving  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them  and  the  ep  closes  with  a  cover  of  Depeche  Mode's  "Broken".  the  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  are  written  in  French  and  cover  war  and  desolation  themes.

  In  my  opinion  this  is  another  great  sounding  recording  from  Moonreich  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  fast,  raw  and  melodic  post  black  metal,  you  should  check  out  this  ep.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Wormgod"  and  "To  Crawl  his  World".  8  out  of  10.

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Moonreich/Fugue/Les Acteurs de l'Ombre Productions/2018 CD Review

  Moonreich  are  a  band  from  France  that  has  been  featured  before  in  this  zine  and  plays  a  very  fast,  aggressive  and  melodic  form  of  black  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2018  album  "Fugue"  which  will  be  released  in  June  by  Les  Acteurs  de  l'Ombre  Productions,

  Melodic  guitar  leads  start  off  the  album  while  the  faster  sections  of  the  songs  also  bring  in  a  great  amount  of  blast  beats  along  with  the  riffs  also  bringing  in  a  great  amount  of  melody  as well  as  the  vocals  being  mostly  high  pitched  black  metal  screams  and  spoken  word  parts  are  also  used  at  times.

  Throughout  the  recording  you  can  also  hear  a  great  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts  while  acoustic  guitars  can  also  be  heard  at  times  along  with  all  of  the  musical  instruments  having  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them  and  most  of  the  tracks  are  very  long  and  epic  in  length  and  at  times  the  music  also  brings  in  elements  of  post  black  metal.

  On  this  recording  Moonreich  takes  a  very  melodic  and  traditional  style  of  black  metal  and  mixes  in  some  of  the  more  modern  post  style  to  create  an  album  that  really  stands  out,  the  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  are  written  in  French  and  cover  war  themes.

  In  my  opinion  this  is  another  great  sounding  recording  from  Moonreich  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  aggressive,  melodic  and  post  black  metal,  you  should  check  out  this  album.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "With  Open  Throat  For  Way  Too  Long"  and  "The  Things  Behind  The  Moon".  8  out  of  10.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wcTjIjdrLUw&feature=youtu.be

Moonreich Interview

1.Can you give us an update on what has been going on with the band since the recording and release of the new album?
We've been preparing for the live shows with the new line-up. Everything is going well, last two gigs were awesome.

2.Recently you have released a new album, how would you describe the musical sound that is presented on the recording and also how does it differ from the stuff you have released in the past?
The goals is still the same: making the music we like without concession. I would say that is album is definitely more varied and more personal, as we gain experience !

3.What are some of the lyrical topics and subjects the band explores with the newer music?
With “Pillars of Detest”, lyrics are very very metaphorical. Every one can make his own mind.
Even for me, the interpretation of it isn't really accurate. I like pushing people to think about it and make their own interpretation. That's what I like when it comes to art. Previous albums and Eps were conceptual's, Pillars of Detest is not.

4.On some of your older material you had covered Rennes le Chateau and its secrets, can you tell us a little bit more about your interest in this topic and also do you also have an interest in any other esoteric subjects?
The big word about Rennes le Chateau would be “Mystery”. There would be a treasure there that could shake the monotheist beliefs. I like this idea. Vatican offered a lot of money to Saunière for hidding this secret. Today, no one knows what it is all about.
I have interest for a lot of other esoteric subjects, but I'll keep it for future releases.

5.Originally the band started out as a solo project, what was the decision behind forming a full line up?
I believe that Moonreich's music wouldn't make any sens if we couldn't develop it's energy in front of people. It is still the case, I like recording, I like listening to music at home. But the real power of music takes shape when it is played live to me. That's why I decided to form a complete line up. I don't have any regret, specially with the new members. New songs are souding great on stage.

6.What are some of the best shows that the band has played so far and also how would you describe your stage performance?
The last one we played in Tours was amazing, big energy there, pure agression ! You can always expect this at a Moonreich's gig !

7.Do you have any touring or show plans for the new album?
Yes, we are looking forward a french headlining tour right now. We will also be playing at Hellfest 2016 !

8.On a worldwide level how has the feedback been to your newer music by fans of black metal?
Well, this new album has been very well welcomed by medias and fans. We are really proud of it but don't pay attention too much, we make music for ourselves above all.   

9.Are any of the band members also involved with any other bands or musical projects these days?
Yes, some of us are involved in others projects, our guitarist for exemple plays in a band called “Griffon”. Our drummer also plays in bands, but they never released anything.

10.Where do you see the band heading into musically during the future?

I don't really know, I will always compose music that pleases me according to my tastes in the instant.

11.What are some of the bands or musical styles that have had an influence on your newer music and also what are you listening to nowadays?
I listen to a lot a varied music. From rock to classical music,  some post-rock; some movie music. When it comes to music, I don't have any fronteer. This is very important to me, when it comes to composition. Every sort of music can inspire me !   

12.Before we wrap up this interview, do you have any final words or thoughts?

Thanks for the support !

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Moonreich/Pillars of Detest/Les Acteurs de l' Ombre Productions/2015 CD Review

  Moonreich  are  a  band  from  France  that  plays  a  very  fast,  raw  and  melodic  form  of  black  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2015  album  "Pillars  of  Detest"  which  was  released  by  Les Acteurs de l' Ombre Productions.

  A  very  dark  and  melodic  black  metal  sound  starts  off  the  album  along  with  all  of  the  musical  instruments  sounding  very  powerful  and  after  awhile  the  music  gets more  fast  and  raw  along  with  some  high  pitched  screams  and  blast  beats and  the  vocals  also  use  a  great  amount  of  angry  and  they  also  add  in  a  touch  of  post  black  metal  at  times.

  Throughout  the  recording  there  is  a  great  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts  and  the  solos  and  leads  the  band  uses  are  also  very  dark  and  melodic  sounding  along  with  some  of  the  riffs  bringing  in  a  touch  of  thrash  and  you  can  also  hear  war  samples  and  spoken  word  parts  being  utilized  in  certain  sections  of  the  recording  and  you  can  also  hear  some  Swedish  influences  in  the  bands  musical  style  at  times  and  they  also  bring  in  an  instrumental  track  while  one  of  the  later  vocals  songs  brings  in  a  small  amount  of  melodic  chanting  and  there  are  also  a  few  tracks  that  are  very  long  and  epic  in  length.   

  Moonreich  plays  a  musical  style  that  is  mostly  rooted in  a  fast,  raw  and  melodic  style  of  black  metal  that  has  a  very  heavy  Swedish  influence  to  it  and  they  also  add  in  a  touch  of t he  modern  post  black  metal  sound  to  update  there  music  for  the  modern  times,  the  production  sounds  very  powerful  while  the  lyrics  cover  war  themes.

  In  my  opinion  Moonreich  are  a  very  great  sounding  fast,  raw  and  melodic  black  metal  band  and  if  you  are a  fan  of  this  musical  genre,  you  should  check  out  this  album.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Believe  &  Behead"  "Sheitan"  and  "Death  Winged  majesty".  8  out  of  10. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3xIrC-CZ-SY&feature=youtu.be